Season notes from John

From John …

This ski season has been very memorable on many levels -- our team of twenty is the largest group I can recall, and the conditions have ranged from very limited snow to as much snow as we have seen locally in decades. Although we have lost a few practice days due to snow days, we were able to contest the scheduled WMC races (except the relay race at Starks Hill). As noted, we will still get to do the Sassi race on 2-28-15 (two races now – classic followed by a skate pursuit), and this race will now serve as a qualifier for both the NE U16 Championships and the Eastern High School Championships.

I am feeling good about all the hard work put in by the whole team through the year. Despite a number of injury and illness issues that have affected many, everyone has stayed focused on getting healthy and ready to compete.

A number of individual and team performances have highlighted our season as the team gets ready for the Class C Championships next week in Presque Isle. For the Girls’ team the results have been very strong and noteworthy - Samantha and Fiona A have been among the leaders in the WMC all year. Sam won the first WMC CL race and, despite working through a nagging injury, managed to finish the season with a strong performance at the WMC championship pursuit, leading the girls team to a very impressive tie for first with an exceptionally deep and strong Yarmouth team. Fiona A skied a very strong FS race in the WMC final with a season best 2nd place finish. Olivia and Louise had very solid freshman year results. Olivia started the year with a very impressive third place in the opening WMC race and was solid all year - she saved one of her best results for the WMC FS Pursuit finishing six. Louise was consistently the girls fourth skier earning valuable points, she also managed to edge a Falmouth skier in the WMC FS Pursuit by less then a second to secure the tie for first. Our other two Fionas also had solid years, FL and FCD both were dealing with injury all year but managed to make the start line in most races and added needed depth for the girls. Ava joined the team after the break and managed a very solid top 30+ race in her only start before cutting the season short, hopefully she will be recovered next season. Emma and Calla also were struggling with injury or illness much of the year but did manage to get in a number of starts, Calla actually only missed one start but did ski while not being 100% for much of the year. Like Ava, lets hope these two are back next year healthy and ready.

The boys also have had strong results thus far, ending the WMC Championships in a tie with Freeport for first. This team is the strongest and deepest team I have been around at Merriconeag. Despite missing two of our top skiers they still managed to tie for first at the WMC pursuit FS- this speaks to the depth and quality on the boys team. Our Captain Graham has been unable to compete most of the year due to a back issue, however he has stepped up and provided needed wax help and organizing at the races he was not racing. Forrest, Tucker and Zach have lead the team all year - Forrest has managed no less than a second in the races contested,Tucker did not miss a race and managed to finish first in the WMC pursuit FS to help the boys tie for first. Zach has made great strides in his high school career and may have had his best finish when it counted, passing a group of Freeport skiers at the line to help secure the result at the WMC final. Nick and Eli were very important contributors as freshman, scoring valuable points. Lars is finishing a solid high school experience by skiing at his best at the end, his 13th place CL race at WMC championships was one of his best races, and by holding back a skier in the pursuit by less than a second secured the tie for first. Dylan started the year with a top 13 place and was consistent all year, Davis and Thomas also provided the added depth that made the boys team so strong, on most teams they would be lead skiers but I am sure their time will come. Our exchange student from Germany has been a great addition to the team as well, working hard all year. Jannis is clearly a good athlete and alpine skier, still, jumping into a nordic race while learning to ski is very impressive. It was great seeing him get comfortable skiing nordic,I hope he gets to continue when he returns home.

Presque Isle – here we come!!!